About the University Senate

The Senate of the University of Pittsburgh is an official University body for shared governance. Through its various organs, it considers and makes recommendations concerning educational policies and other matters of University-wide concern.

The Senate shall foster discussion and maintain adequate communication channels among students, staff, faculty, administrative officers, and the Board of Trustees on all matters affecting the welfare of the University or its constituent members.

The committee’s most recent working draft is a statement of “Pitt Principles”, which is the work of the ad hoc special Senate Council Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Core Values, that has been working over the past two years.

We think it is time for a much wider discussion of these proposed core values across the university. To inaugurate that dialog, the Senate will be hosting the first of what we expect will be a series of open forums about various aspects of the statement.

The first Pitt Principles Discussion Forum will be held on October 10 in Posvar Hall 2500, immediately following the regular Faculty Assembly meeting. We expect to be able to start at 4:30pm. If you have suggestions about the primary focus of the first session, please let us know as soon as possible. To help us structure this forum, we are opening a discussion area on the Senate website (coming soon)

Mark your calendars! Senate meetings will not take place until September, but we anticipate a very busy year. All meetings are held in 2700 Posvar Hall and begin at 3 p.m. We look forward to having you participate, everyone is welcome. Please do not hesitate to contact the Senate with any faculty concerns, usenate@pitt.edu.